Memory of the Church
Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
I am the good shepherd,
my sheep listen to my voice,
and they become
one flock and one fold.
.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Matthew 6,7-15
'In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, but save us from the Evil One. 'Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
I give you a new commandment,
that you love one another.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Jesus calls disciples not to waste words in prayer. The essence of the prayer is in putting our entire trust in God, certain that he will not abandon us and that he will give us what we need. And Jesus teaches that extraordinary prayer that is the Our Father. We could say that the entire prayer is summarized in the first word, "Father," "Abba" (dad). By putting these words on our lips Jesus accomplishes a true religious revolution. Just think that the entire Hebrew tradition prohibited the naming of God. The prayer does not "lower" God to us; rather it elevates us to the Father "who is in heaven." It is right therefore to do his will and that his kingdom come soon. The second part of the prayer is about daily life. Jesus calls us to ask for bread--daily bread-so that we touch the love of God concretely. It is at the same time the material bread and that of his Word. Two breads, two tables that are indispensable. And both must be feasts, or rather, multiplied for all. And then he puts on our lips a serious request: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." Recognizing that we are debtors gives us back our true dimension in front of God and in front of our neighbour and opens our hearts to live the same feelings of God already here on earth.